Key Facts: Ukraine vs South Sudan Wages
- Ukraine Minimum Wage
- ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Ukraine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₴20,000 /mo ($478.47 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / State Statistics Service (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Ukraine
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
Ukraine, a lower-middle-income economy, and South Sudan, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Ukraine versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 17.6:1 ratio. Ukraine has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 9.8% compared to 12.4%.
Ukraine's unemployment rate is 9.8% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ukraine | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₴48 $1.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | ₴266.67 $6.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₴8,000 $191.39 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₴96,000 $2,296.65 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₴20,000 /mo $478.47 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₴16,400 /mo $392.34 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₴120,000 /yr $2,870.81 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ukraine is higher.
Work Week
- Ukraine
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working time at 40 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at double the normal rate and limited to 4 hours over 2 consecutive days, 120 hours/year. Under martial law (from Feb 2022), employers may increase working hours to 60/week and suspend certain labour protections with government approval.
- South Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets 40 hours/week as standard. Enforcement is effectively non-existent across most of the country due to ongoing conflict, institutional collapse, and absence of functioning labour inspectorates.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Ukraine earns 33% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Ukraine
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ukraine or South Sudan?
In Ukraine, the minimum wage is ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 33% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Ukraine may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Ukraine compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Ukraine is ₴20,000/mo ($478.47 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Ukraine earn approximately 1657% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ukraine and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ukraine earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Ukraine and South Sudan?
Both Ukraine and South Sudan mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.